Trying to define "Baptist" is a bit like trying to define "Protestant." There may be a few central tenets (i.e. believer's baptism) that constitutes a Baptist church, but so-called "second tier" praxis and theology varies widely. Here in the American deep south, for example, you see serious divergence in theology in Baptists along racial/socioeconomic lines, and I know several black Baptist preachers who claim the title Bishop, something you would not see in white churches.

(They don't necessarily mean the same thing when they say "bishop" as when we do, however, and I know of churches that claim to have a bishop, a pastor, an elder and an overseer.)

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Blessed Nazarius practiced the ascetic life. His clothes were tattered. He wore his shoes without removing them for six years.

THE OPINIONS HERE MAY NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED ORTHODOX CHURCH

ok, so I know they are a pretty old Protestant denomination, but I don't know more than that. he was part of an evangelical Christian club that I've since dropped. he kept talking about when he was "saved". he asked me when I was saved, and I responded with "Not sure, I'm still working that out."

he likes to talk with me because he says I'm one of the few people who are practicing Christians, and don't just carry the title.

this kid is the son of a Baptist pastor.

what exactly do Baptists believe?

So far there has been a lot of very good answers. I came from what can only be called a non-denominational baptist church, affiliated with CB Northwest aka Conservative Baptist.

One thing that is pushed is prayer, but not structured prayer, individually and as a group. That does not mean on occasion that prayers pop up written by others that they like an will use in situations. The prayers generally start Heavenly Father, I just want or we ask, etc. (Add need or want). To often the group prayers end up being a personal preaching moment by an individual to the group but as if they were speaking to God the Father in Jesus name.

Community and relationships within the church is highly emphasized, with the pastors and laity pushing to make coffee dates, etc. with those in the church. One thing we did was pushing being completely open and also very embracing of everyone that comes, get them quickly connected into the group, greeting at the door, passing out cookies, get them into a small group, etc. so they can feel like a part of the church and not an observer.

In this church, the range of doctrine was calvinist (all types) to arminian to a mixture of the two.

My wife is still part of the baptist church, as for me there is no turning back to being a baptist.

Personally, 20 minutes of songs, a few lines of prayer by the pastor and "worship leader" aka lead band member and a 45 minute speech of the pastors topical view did not seem like actual worship or beneficial. Essentially, they pushed becoming like Christ Jesus, but have no real idea how to get from point A to point B.

Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

(And, no joke, the Southern Baptist Convention's major committee is title "The Committee on Committees.")

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“Wherefore, then, death approaches, gulps down the bait of the body, and is pierced by the hook of the divinity. Then, having tasted of the sinless and life-giving body, it is destroyed and gives up all those whom it had swallowed down of old." - St. John of Damascus

A bit of clarification on the Baptist/Anabaptist thing: John Smyth, the founder of the Baptist movement, was an opponent of Anglicanism who spent time in the Netherlands to escape persecution. There, he was heavily influenced by Mennonites and was convinced by them that Baptism should be a profession of faith for those who have already "gotten saved." His nationalism was a primary obstacle against him becoming Mennonite. He strongly opposed their pacifist ideals and he felt that becoming Mennonite would be tantamount to becoming Dutch. He then started his own church, as was the style at the time.

Some thing important to keep in mind about Baptist is that the local congregation is the ultimate authority in its own affairs. While many of these statements are true of some Baptist churches, very few are true of all. Even though a lot of people have mentioned OSAS, there is an entire denomination of Baptists founded to oppose the idea, and congregations within this association have plenty of free will in deciding how to teach and worship. The best way to learn about your friend's particular beliefs is to engage in dialog with them.

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"Some have such command of their bowels, that they can break wind continuously at pleasure, so as to produce the effect of singing."- St. Augustine of Hippo

Some thing important to keep in mind about Baptist is that the local congregation is the ultimate authority in its own affairs. While many of these statements are true of some Baptist churches, very few are true of all. Even though a lot of people have mentioned OSAS, there is an entire denomination of Baptists founded to oppose the idea, and congregations within this association have plenty of free will in deciding how to teach and worship. The best way to learn about your friend's particular beliefs is to engage in dialog with them.

I've met a few free will baptists, and one once asked me what the differences were between what the Church teaches what his church teaches, after asking me if I was Jewish. Not knowing the exact differences, and guessing that the "free will" meant no OSAS or predestination, I told him it was mostly how we view the Church and how we believe that God is present in and works in and through the Church. That link was very useful in understanding what they teach.

they compare fried chicken recipes... Also, if you condemn alcohol but can drink an Irish man and a German under the table, or condemn dancing but be able "pop lock and drop it" better than most, chances are you might be Baptist *

I think it has something to do with your theology and the tendency to make fun of Methodists all while bashing Catholics in the same sentence.

Or just having a sign that says you are a Baptist... I don't really know

they compare fried chicken recipes... Also, if you condemn alcohol but can drink an Irish man and a German under the table, or condemn dancing but be able "pop lock and drop it" better than most, chances are you might be Baptist *

I was just talking with a Turk who was from Iconium/Konya and pointed out that it was the most religious il (proince), and the one with the highest consumption of alcohol.

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Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

they compare fried chicken recipes... Also, if you condemn alcohol but can drink an Irish man and a German under the table, or condemn dancing but be able "pop lock and drop it" better than most, chances are you might be Baptist *

I was just talking with a Turk who was from Iconium/Konya and pointed out that it was the most religious il (proince), and the one with the highest consumption of alcohol.